The Érudit platform is currently experiencing slowdowns and disruptions due to an incident at our technical service provider. We are sorry for this inconvenience and are actively collaborating to restore the service. The information will be updated on our Twitter Page.

Abstract

The dynamic of solitude among newly single individuals: toward the creation of new support networks

A preliminary analysis of interviews with divorced or separated individuals frequenting a Quebec City singles club encourages a re-examination of traditional views of solitude. The variety of perceptions of this social phenomenon and of strategies employed to either accept or counter solitude highlights the complexity and dynamic aspect of this question. In opposition to the dominant paradigm of social relations that is mechanistic, moralistic and pessimistic, a more optimistic, aesthetics-oriented paradigm illuminates the unsuspected role of solitude as a factor in the creation of new supportive spaces within mass society.